Hey fellow Film Fans Josh here with my column called the OLD SCHOOL REVIEW. Seeing how here at Crazy Critics we review all the new films to hit theaters, I thought I’d take a look back at some of my favorite movies that some of you may have missed or may not even have heard of. Next time your in video store maybe you’ll give one of these films a try and find a new favorite to add to your collection.

LOCK UP
Directed by John Flynn
Starring Sylvester Stallone
Article by Joshua Tapia

So when you hear the name Sylvester Stallone your mind goes to two things: ROCKY and RAMBO. These are by far his most iconic roles, not to mention that if you add both series up they make for ten of Stallone’s Film biography. Between doing the Rocky and Rambo films Stallone made a few classic 80’s flicks such as the fun TANGO & CASH and pure 80’s cheese that is COBRA. LOCK UP came out between Rambo III and Rocky V and was mostly in and out of theaters without much attention. But if you’re like me and like a good prison flick you might want to give rent the DVD or pick it up online.

When I think of good prison films, I immediately think of the classics like SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION and ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ. LOCK UP is nowhere near these levels of films, but it is an entertaining film with a good supporting cast. But first let's look at the two leads with Stallone turning in a more subdued performance than his usual bigger than life heroes. Here he plays an everyday man who is just trying to finish his time in a low level prison facility. Then enters Donald Sutherland, as the evil warden who has a past and a vendetta to settle with Stallone and his mission is to make Stallone’s character time in prison a living Hell.

The plot sounds simple and to be honest it is, but that’s one thing I love about 80’s films. You know who the good guy is and you know who’s your bad guy. Don’t get the wrong idea though this is more drama than action and it’s actually nice to see Stallone try a little something different than mowing down bad guys with a machine gun. One actor that really stands out in a supporting role is Tom Sizemore who brings a lot of energy and humor to the film as one of Stallone’s prison mates. Its kind of sad to see Sizemore in these older roles cause the guy clearly has a lot of charisma and whenever he pops up in a film he always finds a way to stand out from the pact. These days he’s in and out jail and rehab fighting a bad drug addiction. This film is just another reminder of how talented he was.

So if you’re a Stallone fan and missed this overlooked 80’s film then by all means please give it look. If you’re not a fan of Stallone and his over the top action well give LOCK UP a chance you might just like it.